poultice how long?

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Charlie77

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Long story short lame horse vet out suspect bruise started poulticeing to bring bruising out that was wed. Friday above his heel draws some yuck. So wet poulticed 2 x days then on to dry now poulticeing the correct area. Phone vet let her know we are both happy. Now tomorrow's friday and im still dry poulticeing and although its not as smelly as it was im still drawing yuck out. I have also hot salt water tubbed the foot not every day but id guess every other. I know this can taketime but is this going on to long? Do I call vet tomorrow or wait till monday? Many thanks x
 
I personally wouldn't poultice for a bruise - though I realise you are going on your Vet's advice - I prefer tubbing with Epsom Salts. Unless I suspected an abscess I would stop the poulticing.

Tbh I would always get my farrier out before my Vet for hoof problems, I would give it a few more days before getting the Vet back out if you are still worried - how lame is he now?
 
Id rather farrier to, only I had a slight over reaction panic on wed dont ask me why paranoia from my old horses diagnosis with djd of the coffin joint? Have spoken with farrier and hes due monday any way thinking about it. Horse seems sound now and had been since last Friday when the yuck started coming x
 
I have just dealt with the exact same issue.

Bruised feet on my mare. She was barely lame, I only noticed because something didn't feel 'right' schooling her. She was not lame in arena at all and only barely when trotted up but enough to worry.

Farrier checked her first and couldn't find much but agreed she was lame. Left her another few days on box rest with tubbing and then called the vet.

Vet found bruising and advised tubbing and poulticing. We eventually drew out some yuck from her heels. Vet was out about 3 times and she was poulticed wet for 18 days until there was no more coming out. Then dry poultice for a further 4 days just to be 100% sure there's nothing coming out.

She's now fully sound but vet is advising being very very cautious with building her back up so her turnout is still restricted. She got 30 mins a day in the field for a week, then an hour for a week, now up to 2 hours as of today for the next week and then hopefully more back to normal and can start to ride next weekend perhaps.

It's been a long slog but I had the vet out every week and it's all on his advice.
 
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Thank you! I feel better to know you did 18 days, ill carry on till monday when farrier comes and speak with the vet once he has actually seen it. Thanks so much every one x
 
I think usually five days is sufficient but like others above have said, sometimes it just takes longer! I usually dry poultice for maybe two days after the stuff has started coming out. I don't know if that's just paranoia but I like to be certain the open but has closed up.
 
Poulticing is suitable for drawing out infection. A bruised sole is not indicative of infection. Blood vessels burst due to trauma resulting in discolouration aka bruising. If 'muck' is being drawn out then something else is going on. Either thrush (smelly, black) or abcess.
 
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